Attention People of Minneapolis/St.Paul: Slug, Murs, and Aesop Rock announce an in-store appearance to support their new album 'Felt 3' out on November 17 at Fifth Element on the eve of the release (would imagine at Midnight.)
Fifth Element 2411 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55405 (612) 377-0044
(photo courtesy of David Joles at the Star Tribune)
Prince played a surprise private concert Saturday, October 24 at Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, MN.
Show review and set list courtesy of Jon Bream at the Star Tribune Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota and idolator.
Prince showed more versatility and musicality in his first hour onstage than Michael Jackson did in his entire career. He started with a bunch of tunes from this year's "Lotusflow3r" collection and then paraded through his hits, especially from the 1980s. In fact, there wasn't one tune from the '90s and only "Feel 4 U" from the '70s.
With his horn-less band, Prince has never sounded funkier at Paisley. He was talkative and humorous, loose and spontaneous, calling out songs and arrangements as well as an occasional "so-low" for himself on guitar. To witness that kind of organic musicmaking always feels special -- especially when it's a well-drilled, first-rate band like Prince's -- even if you have to put up with the bandleader frequently telling the sound guy how to adjust the mix.
Prince saluted the Time, the Doobie Brothers and the Jackson 5 in song and verbally acknowledged his debt ("I wouldn't be who I am without...") to James Brown, the Jacksons, Chaka Khan, Rufus, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, Joni Mitchell and Tower of Power. His pal Larry Graham sat in on bass for a series of Sly & the Family Stone tunes, and backup singer Shelby J, a powerhouse from the southern soul/gospel school, stepped out front on a couple of selections, most notably "The Arms Of An Angel."
No More Candy 4 U Ol Skool Company Stand (Sly Stone cover) Turn Me Loose I Want You Back (Jackson 5 cover) Dance with Me 1999 Feel 4 U Controversy Sexy Dancer Le Freak (Chic cover) Shake That Moneymaker Controversy Why U Wanna Treat Me So Bad Take Me with U Anotherholeinthehead/Rock Lobster (the B-52's) Guitar Raspberry Beret Arms Of An Angel (Sarah McLachlan cover sung by Shelby J) Forever in My Life Mountains Shake Your Booty (Jackson 5 cover) begins Sly Stone medley: Everyday People I Want To Take You Higher You Can Make It If You Try Long Train Runnin (Doobie Brothers cover, sung by Shelby J) Thankuforlettinmebemyself (back to Sly Stone) Dancin' Machine (The Jacksons cover) Sing a Simple Song (more Sly Stone) Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry cover)
Encore #1 Uptown Let's Work Cool (The Time) Kiss Sometimes it Snows in April The Bird (The Time, playfully introduced as "another ballad") Jungle Love Love Bizarre Glamourous Life
Hip Hop historian, journalist, DJ and community activist Davey D speaks with Toki Wright about his involvement in the Minneapolis hop hop scene and culture. The intro is a bit too long, be patience the interview is well worth the wait.
Toki Wright's 'A Different Mirror' on Rhymesayers is out now.
